The Mears Foundation & FareShare: Combating Hunger and Food Waste
The Mears Foundation is honoured to partner with FareShare, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to alleviating hunger and reducing food waste across the UK. Our partnership with FareShare helps us achieve our goal of improving the well-being and quality of life for individuals and communities.
The Difference we have made with FareShare
With the Foundation's support, FareShare expanded its fleet of heavy freight vehicles, allowing for the direct redistribution of surplus food to communities in need across the UK.
The current funding awarded to FareShare has equated to...
FareShare runs the Tesco Winter Food Collection, an annual initiative inviting Tesco customers to donate long-life food items. These donations are distributed to FareShare’s network of over 8,000 charities, supporting people in need across the UK.
As a Mears employee, use your volunteering hours to support this event in-store. Sign up for a shift at your nearest Tesco store by entering your postcode on the volunteer map.
In November, FareShare invites you to take on the Zero Waste Challenge - a commitment to reducing food waste in your own kitchen while fundraising to support FareShare’s fight against hunger. Over the course of two weeks or a full month, ensure that no food goes to waste - anything edible must be used or repurposed.
Direct Impact
FareShare's has a simple vision: "No good food goes to waste" and this is more than just a statement - it is a commitment to providing nourishing meals to those who would otherwise lack access to these vital dishes. With the assistance of the Mears Foundation, FareShare's fleet of 7 lorries has collected enough food for 6.7 million meals in the last 12 months alone. This includes high-value, short-life products like fruit, vegetables, dairy, and meat.
Benefits of Our Fleet
The Mears Foundation's support has not only raised food volumes but also provided other benefits to FareShare's operations:
• The vehicle fleet enables FareShare's Regional Centres to open on Saturdays, increasing the number of food collections and minimising the amount of time extra food sits in warehouses.
• FareShare can keep food types and volumes balanced across its large network of Regional Centres, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently.
• The fleet makes it possible to serve charities with ad hoc requests, such as transporting necessary equipment like freezers to expand their capacity to collect food contributions.
• FareShare's improved fleet enables operations to run at a quicker pace, which strengthens ties with food partners by providing a convenient alternative for surplus food collection.
Making a Difference
FareShare's important work goes beyond providing meals. They distribute food to a wide range of vulnerable communities around the UK, including hostels, food banks, and children's breakfast clubs. These charities, which are located in some of the most deprived areas, offer additional support beyond food, addressing worries such as debt, housing, mental health, and employment.
A broad approach
FareShare's endeavours not only alleviate hunger, but also provide access to critical support services, developing community connections and addressing the root causes of poverty. By providing access to nutritious meals and full support networks, FareShare guides individuals and families through challenges, offering hope for a brighter future.
Working hand in hand
The Mears Foundation is honoured to support FareShare's efforts to reduce hunger and food waste. We are working together to strengthen communities and make a long-term difference in the lives of people all over the UK.
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